Advertising and Marketing for your custom apparel business doesn't have to be a huge expense. Here are six free advertising ideas:

1. LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORIES

Set up listings with online business directories such as Yelp. Not only will this make your business seem more reputable, but it will help to improve your online presence and your search ranking.

2. EMAIL MARKETING

There are a couple email marketing services like Mail Chimp that offer free setup and are easy to use. Having the ability to communicate sales and promotions to your customers in a fast, personal way is essential.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA

It is totally free to set-up accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. That's the easy part. The trick is to come up with new, relevant, and interesting stories and to post on a regular basis. Just as your company has it's own unique identity, so should your social media pages.

4. NETWORKING

Attend local events and meetings. Being an active presence in your community will give your business a boost. Consider emceeing an event or volunteering as a guest speaker. Just remember to always have your business card with you.

5. BUSINESS CARDS

Never leave home without them. Sure, it's not exactly "free" to get your business cards made, but it is free to always have them with you. You never know when you'll run into someone who will be in need of your services.

6. WEAR YOUR WORK

Anytime you're out is an opportunity to advertise your business, so wear your work! Show off a little. If it's a shirt with your logo or a shirt you're trying to sell, you're basically a free walking billboard.